A/n: Yes, I know; I've been really awful with my updating lately. This one hasn't had an update since June and quite frankly I've forgotten where it was going; I'll have to go dig out my ideas notebook and remind myself. This is just some scraps I had hanging around from ages ago scraped up into a little filler chapter, just so you all know I haven't forgotten this story. Hopefully I'll have something more written in a week or so.

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Chapter 37: Waiting

Max hated waiting.

She especially hated waiting knowing Logan was in danger and there was nothing she could do about it.

While she wasn't exactly helpless when it came to computers, she was still well outside her comfort zone. X5s were built for action; she'd rather have taken on a whole platoon of Lydeckers troops than just sat here, staring at the screen, waiting for Logan to do his thing.

It wasn't that she didn't trust him to take every precaution; for the sake of Sebastian and the others if nothing else. She'd just had far too much experience of Manticore's skill at tracking down its wayward alumni.

And as for the new twist in their relationship…

Logan loved her. He'd proved it with his words and his actions and those beautiful eyes. Could it be that this was how normal people felt all the time? This warmth inside, that someone loved her no matter what; and she'd done more than most that needed to be forgiven. Even after he'd found out about Ben, Logan had still forgiven her, accepted her, welcomed her into his life. She'd trusted him with all her secrets; and now he'd returned the favour.

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Logan stood in front of his father's desk, waiting to be noticed. Logan senior took a mouthful of the deep amber scotch in his glass and then topped it up from the decanter.

"Now, Junior," he said. "You've been home a week and I think it's about time we gave some thought to your education. We are fortunate in that there is an excellent private school close enough that you don't need to board; your cousins already attend there. I have contacted them, and since we don't have your school records or any exam results they have been... persuaded... to arrange an IQ test to establish your potential. I'll have the chauffeur drive you over for it at nine thirty on Thursday."

"Yes, dad," said Logan. He was still shy around his father; they'd hardly spent any time together since he'd arrived. It had been Miss Keane, the strict, middle aged nanny his father had hired who had been looking after him, along with the maids. The week had been a blur of visits to exclusive tailors, hairdressers, and shoe shops to turn him into what his father wanted him to be; a miniature version of himself.

"Good. I expect you to spend the next few days studying; I've had some books and a computer set up for you in your room."

"A computer? Thank you, Dad!" said Logan enthusiastically. Studying was better than shopping.

"You like computers, junior?" His father asked, raising an eyebrow. Mutely Logan nodded, wondering if this was a good thing.

"Good. It'll be an advantage for you to have some knowledge of them when the time comes for you to start with the family business. You may go." He turned back to the files on his desk, leaving Logan to head for his room, wondering with faint dread what his new school would be like.

The IQ test showed that Logan Junior was within the most intelligent per cent of the population. The school was more than happy to take him, even without the considerable amount of money his fater had offered them.

It wasn't until about a week later that the first letter arrived from the Maple Institute.

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So, any thoughts?